Schedule

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona men's basketball team has released its 2015-16 schedule. The Lumberjacks have a highly competitive non-conference slate with five out of their 11 opponents having competed in a postseason tournament last season.

"This a challenging schedule from the opening road trip all the way through Big Sky Conference play," said head coach Jack Murphy. "We have built it in a way so our young team can gain great experience in some hostile environments in order to help them compete once Big Sky play does begin."

The reigning CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament runner-ups begin the 2015-16 campaign at home in an exhibition game versus Cal Baptist on Nov. 6. This game will be played at the Rolle Activity Center to kick off the season.

NAU's first road trip will be to Pac-12 opponent Washington State on Nov. 13. Continuing its stay on the road, the Lumberjacks will play at Boise State (Nov. 16) and Gonzaga (Nov. 18). Both Boise State and Gonzaga were NCAA Tournament teams a year ago.

The Lumberjacks will host Embry-Riddle in a neutral site game on Nov. 20. NAU's next three games will be played at home with San Diego Christian (Nov. 23), Norfolk State (Nov. 30), and Hampton (Dec. 2) all making a trip to Flagstaff. Norfolk State competed in the CIT last season, while Hampton won its first round game of the NCAA Tournament.

NAU will go on a four-game road trip to close out non-conference play. On Dec. 5, NAU will play Cal State Bakersfield, followed by games at Elite Eight participant Arizona (Dec. 16), Arkansas Little-Rock (Dec. 20), and Tulsa on Dec. 22.

For the first time since the 2012-13 season, NAU will begin Big Sky play at home. The Lumberjacks host Montana (Dec. 31) and Montana State (Jan.2) opening weekend. NAU hosts North Dakota (Jan. 21), Northern Colorado (Jan. 23), Eastern Washington (Feb. 4), Idaho (Feb. 6), Idaho State (Feb. 18), Weber State (Feb. 20), and Southern Utah (Feb. 27).

Road conference games this season will be Southern Utah (Jan. 9), Idaho (Jan. 14), Eastern Washington (Jan. 16), Weber State (Jan. 28), Idaho State (Jan. 30), Montana State (Feb. 11), Montana (Feb. 13), Portland State (Mar. 3) and Sacramento State (Mar. 5).

This year's Big Sky Basketball Championship will be held in Reno, Nev. All teams on the men's and women's side will participate. The men's tournament will run March 8-12.